Parents: Cuts Will Hit Rural Schools Hardest

RICHMOND — Del. Harvey Morgan made a suggestion to the 80 or so Mathews residents who arrived in Richmond by school bus on Monday to decry proposed state cutbacks to public education.

Take a tour of the history-rich state Capitol Building, the Gloucester Republican said, noting it holds a treasure trove of history.

The suggestion had little discernible impact until Stephanie Todd, a parent of two middle school students, stood next to Morgan 30 minutes later and said, "I think it'd be more important for the children to do this tour."

The comment drew loud applause because Mathews County schools might have to eliminate field trips as it looks to find ways to make up for an expected 10.5 percent reduction in state funding this year - or about $600,000.

Caleb Selph, a sixth-grader at Thomas Hunter Middle School, told Morgan his fellow students "should be able to see the real thing."

Canceling field trips is one of several cutbacks officials in Mathews, a rural school district of about 1,200 students, are considering, any of which would hurt the quality of education, school boosters said.

But reform-minded citizens, noting the bureaucratic behemoths that some public educational institutions have become, have welcomed Gov. Timothy M. Kaine's proposed cuts.

Public education has largely been spared in the last three rounds of belt-tightening ordered from Richmond. It's time for schools - Kaine's plan calls for a $375 million, or 6 percent, reduction - to shoulder some of the cost-cutting, reformists say.

Yet for small, rural school districts, such as Mathews and Isle of Wight, where schools form the hub of the community, the proposed cuts are a curse, said Jennifer Little, a Mathews School Board member.

"It's a different ball game down here," said Little. "It's not like Newport News where they have all the people."

"We don't have positions to cut," she said.

For example, the Mathews school administration office consists of five people: superintendent, assistant superintendent, clerk, accountant and receptionist.

The Mathews residents who descended Monday on Richmond, led by retired teacher Judy Rowe, presented Morgan with four requests:

* Stop unfunded state and federal mandates.

* Reduce standardized testing.

* Pressure textbook-makers to develop less costly, more up-to-date materials.

* Allow schools to roll over state money from year to year.

Morgan said lawmakers are considering legislation to allow rollover money and speaking with textbook-makers. Reducing standardized tests and unfunded mandates will be tough, he said, because many originate at the federal level.

Morgan and Democratic Sen. Ralph Northam, whose district includes Mathews and who met separately with the group, each said they will try to ensure that schools aren't forced to cut programs and positions.

However, given the shaky economy, neither promised that wouldn't happen.

"We always try never to cut public education," Morgan said. "If we don't have to, we won't."

Despite the reassurances, many residents seemed resigned to cutbacks. Tellingly, many, such as Mathews School Board President Virginia Richards, asked that the cuts be temporary.

Most of Kaine's cutbacks target noninstructional support - such as janitors, secretaries and information technology workers. Other positions - such as teachers, nurses and guidance counselors - would not be affected.

That is subject to change, however, because the state Senate and House of Delegates have yet to offer their versions of the budget. Some school insiders think the two branches will propose even deeper cutbacks.

Mathews residents, noting that other school districts are facing the same dire situation; hope their lobbying will inspire other school districts to do the same.

"Today's not just about Mathews," said Roger Mann, a county resident. "It's about schools all over Virginia."

THE SHORTFALL

State budget cuts mean that Mathews school officials must make up $600,000 in its proposed $14.15 million budget for the next fiscal year. Among the possible steps to cushion the blow:

* Eliminating field trips

* Shifting funds from reserve accounts, including money for new textbooks and a new bus garage